Interested in Puppy Raising?

We are often asked when should one start the application process? Since becoming an NSD Puppy Raiser can be competitive, it’s always best to begin the application as soon as you can!

Interested in Puppy Raising?

National Service Dogs has a number of volunteering opportunities. We invite anyone interested in volunteering to join our Volunteer Information Session held on the first Tuesday of each month. Once you have filled out our Volunteer Interest Form, Lindsey Rounds, our Volunteer Coordinator, will connect with you to confirm the date and location of the Volunteer Information Session.

Check out an overview of each of the NSD volunteering opportunities, then fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.

Whelping Home

Puppy Educator

Puppy Starter

Puppy Raiser

Sitter (puppy, evening, weekend)

Evening Enrichment Program

Kennel Assistant

Office/Administration Assistance

Maintenance of Property

Events and Fundraising

Corporate Volunteer Days

Board of Directors

Create Your Own Opportunity: Specialized Skills

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Role of the Raiser

Puppy Raisers are responsible for the socialization, house training, and basic obedience training of NSD’s puppies-in-training.

Obedience Training: Puppies start obedience training classes provided by NSD trainers very early to begin introducing basic obedience commands, set socialization goals, and connect as a group to solve and prevent common puppy issues. Puppy Raisers are required to commit to weekly classes for the first 12 weeks and then class every other week thereafter. Classes must be attended throughout the puppy placement period, starting at a beginner level up to more advanced classes. Classes are scheduled Monday (Cambridge) and Wednesday (London) evenings. Transportation is necessary as there is no public transport available to our training locations.

Socialization: Puppy raisers are also required to attend several “social outings” held in various public environments with NSD puppy training instructors. For example, the puppy training instructors may schedule outings to shopping malls, parks, pet stores, or restaurants. Puppies must be socialized a minimum of six hours per week.

Puppy Raising Process

Puppy Raising Experience
Puppy Raisers who volunteer for this experience volunteer to receive an 8 week old NSD puppy and raise him/her for approximately 16 months. Once your Puppy Raiser Application is approved, an NSD staff member will meet with you in person to discuss the potential puppies that may be available. Consistent Puppy Class Attendance is mandatory for the entire experience.

Temporary Homes
Sometimes, those who intend to raise an NSD puppy for 18 months have life challenges that prevent them from continuing as a volunteer. That’s where YOU can help! We need Puppy Raisers who volunteer to provide a temporary home until a NSD staff member can find another volunteer to continuing raising the NSD puppy. This is approximately a 1-4 month commitment.

All potential applicants must complete an online application.

Once the online application is completed, you will be contacted via email by a NSD staff member. All applicants new to NSD, who have never raised a NSD puppy before, will be asked to observe puppy classes prior to being selected as a puppy raising volunteer (classes occur on Mondays and/or Wednesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 pm). Applicants who have raised a NSD puppy within the last 24 months, and who are well versed in NSD training policies, will be given priority.

Cost

NSD receives a lot of support from various sponsors to help keep costs low for our organization and our Puppy Raisers.

Items Supplied by NSD for all Puppy Raisers:

Puppy Raiser Orientation (occurs prior to taking the puppy)
NSD Puppy Training Manual
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Food generously donated by Nestle Purina
Vaccines generously donated by Pfizer
Veterinary care, including spay and neutering
Sentinel medication for heartworm/flea prevention generously donated by Novartis Animal Health
NSD Puppy training jackets
Small leash and adjustable flat collar
Ongoing NSD puppy classes
Support from our dedicated NSD staff and volunteers Items Supplied by the Puppy Raiser
Although most equipment and costs are supplied and covered by NSD, there are some items that the Puppy Raiser is responsible for.

Puppy Raiser Responsibility:

Dog Bed
Large or Extra Large Dog Crate
Approved Treats
Any additional approved toys
A safe and loving home

Are You Ready?

We are looking for young families, couples, retirees, and single individuals who are able to devote the time, energy and love necessary to successfully socialize and train a NSD puppy. Raising a puppy can be strenuous so applicants must be able to walk for 30-40 minutes in any one session. The application process to be a NSD Puppy Raiser (for any length of time) takes between 3-6 weeks to complete depending on your availability.

Before you decide Puppy Raising is for you, there are some important questions to consider. You should answer “yes” to all of the following questions.

Are you willing to make a 14-16 month commitment to raising an NSD puppy?
Are you able to attend 30 minutes of puppy class between 6-8pm every week?
Do you live within 45 km of NSD Headquarters in Cambridge Ontario?
Do you have a reliable vehicle?
Are there two dogs or less in your household?
Are all children in your household over the age of five?
Are you physically capable of walking a strong puppy for 30-40 minutes in any one session?
If you currently reside in an apartment, do you live on the first or second floor?
Are you familiar with the work involved in successfully raising a puppy?
Are you patient and consistent with animals?
Will you be devoted to the project and follow NSD rules?
Are you home during the day or would you be able to bring the dog to work with you? The puppy cannot be crated more than four hours at a time and will need a relief/exercise part way through the day.
Are you willing to follow the directions given to you by NSD trainers?
Are you committed to the puppy being a part of your family?
Will you be able to leash walk your puppy in all weather for at least 30 minutes twice per day?
Can you provide the opportunity for a puppy to have a leash-free run in a fenced area once per day?
Will you be able to take the puppy into various public environments (i.e. malls, grocery stores, movies, restaurants, parks, sports events, etc.) at least 6 times per week?

Did you answer “YES” to all the above questions?

Start Your Application

When I first started puppy raising for National Service Dogs, I didn’t realize that I would be embarking on such a great adventure. Puppy raising is not only worthwhile and rewarding but has provided me with the opportunity to grow and learn, make new friends, both canine and human, and contribute to my community, all while having fun along the way. Yes, it can be an emotional experience when the puppy is recalled for advanced training. However, that is tempered by the positive feelings of having been an important part of the puppy’s training, and seeing her or him go on to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

Marg Mannellon our Puppy Raising and Breeding program

Interested in Puppy Raising?

Interested in Puppy Raising?

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